BSc Food Microbiology
BSc Food Microbiology (C560)
BSc Food Microbiology with Certificate in European Studies (C5R9)
Typical Grade Offer Entry 2013: ABB-BBB
Experts believe that one million people now suffer from food-borne illness in England and Wales alone. Worldwide, every minute six children die from the consumption of food and water contaminated with micro-organisms.
Research into the bacteria and viruses that are responsible for food-borne illness is advancing rapidly, improving our understanding of the interaction of these bacteria with man, the environment, agriculture and food. As a consequence, there is now an urgent need for well-qualified graduates who can interpret these new advances and apply their knowledge in careers within the food industry, DEFRA and the Food Standards Agency, as well as in Local Government and hospital laboratories.
Interested? Click on any of the links below to find out more:-
What makes this course special?
On this course, students have the opportunity to learn a wide variety of practical techniques, to gain a real understanding of microbiological research and prepare for an interesting and worthwhile career in Food Safety, working either with the food industry or a Government Agency.
The Food Microbiology course stresses the relevance of modern molecular biology to the future development of food microbiology. Graduates can play an important role in improving food and drinking water safety and in microbiological research and development in research institutes, industry, and local and national government both in the UK and the developing world.
Research Reputation
The Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) is the UK's definitive guide to research quality and excellence, ranking all universities on research strength and rating the academic disciplines they submit on the basis of their international standing.
Measured by means of 'research power'- taking into account both quality and the number of academics within a discipline - the School of Biosciences was recently ranked No.1 in the UK in the latest RAE in December 2008, an independent survey of 30 similar departments in the UK. This means that our research is recognised as being of international importance and you will be taught by staff at the forefront of their subject areas.
Career opportunities and profiles 
By the end of the course you will have a sound knowledge of the fundamental principles and practices of food microbiology, and you will have carried out a significant amount of lab-based work, focussing on areas such as bacterial and biological diversity, virology, and foodborne pathogens. Your individual project will have helped you develop skills in independent thinking and study, effective communication, presentation skills and data handling.
Graduates will find rewarding careers in the food industry, DEFRA, and the Food Standards Agency as well as in local government and hospital laboratories.
Latest data available (for 2010) show that over 79% of School of Biosciences graduates are in full time paid employment six months after graduation or have gone on to further study.
Career Profile:
Jackie Thornton graduated in Food Microbiology in 1997. During her course, she took a year out spending six months in the dairy department at Sainsbury's and six months at Marks & Spencer HQ.
After returning to the University, she went on to work on an HACCP project with Pepsico R&D Centre at Leicester, and in her final year completed her Research Project on the industrial washing of salads and vegetables in conjunction with Northern Foods.
After graduating she chose to go back to Sainsbury's to work as a food technologist with responsibility for jams, spreads, homebaking, sugar and ambient desserts. Her job is very varied; her primary responsibilities are to manage product safety and quality. This includes visiting Sainsbury's 60 or so suppliers (this could be anywhere from Manchester to Mauritius), product sampling and managing current food issues, such as genetic modification and dioxins.
For Jackie, the year out was absolutely invaluable. Not only was it an excellent opportunity to see how a large organisation worked, it also enabled her to learn other skills such as project writing and giving presentations. In her view, having work experience opens doors in the job market; if you have proved that you are capable of working during a year out in industry, a company is much more likely to be interested in you as a prospective employee.
Entry information
The School welcomes applications from prospective students of all ages and from all countries. Candidates should have at least two science subjects at A level, (preferably biology and chemistry), which can include maths and geography, or equivalent. (Access courses, BTEC, HND, International or European Baccalaureates or Scottish Highers/Scottish Qualifications Certificate).
International & EU students: English Language requirements: IELTS score of 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in each element, or equivalent.
For the European studies degree, a minimum of a second modern language to grade B at GCSE or equivalent in the language of the host institution, is normally required.
Foundation Degrees : Students successfully completing the FdSc Biological Sciences course at Nottingham Trent University are eligible to apply for entry into Year 2 of this course. Applicants can make a 'single application' through UCAS. Further details at www.ucas.com
Course structure
YEAR ONE
Food Microbiologists take core modules including:-
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Foundation Science
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Food and Health
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Introductory Biochemistry
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Genetics and Cell Biology
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Whole Organism Biology
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Data Transfer, Analysis and Presentation
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Genetics with Specialist Options
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Food Hygiene
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Microbial Physiology
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Food Materials
plus optional modules
YEAR TWO
Second year core modules include a significant proportion of laboratory based work. These include:-
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Bacterial and Biological Diversity
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Virology
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Food Safety
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Practical Methods in Microbiology
Students will initiate their research project in Food Microbiology.
Students also undertake an extended dissertation module.
plus optional modules -see below
YEAR THREE
Final year students undertake a year-long research project in food microbiology, which builds on the literature review followed by laboratory work.
plus optional modules -see below
Optional Modules
In Year One, students can choose from a wide range offered in the areas of food science and nutrition.
In Years Two and Three, popular optional modules include:
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The Microflora of Foods
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Industrial Methods of Microbial Analysis
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Microbial Fermentation
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Analysis of Bacterial Gene Expression
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Management Science: Food
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Food Commodities
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Food Factory Operations
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Nutrition, Metabolism and Disease
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Principles of Immunology
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Nutrition and the Health of Populations
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Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology
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Sensory Quality of Food
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Manufacture of Foods
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Virology and Cellular Microbiology
The research project
The Research Project starts in the second semester of Year 2 and continues throughout Year 3, with students working in close collaboration with a supervisor.
The Project encourages critical thinking and involves both independent and team work, a literature survey, and data handling, analysis and interpretation.
Recent projects have included:
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Characterisation of non-starter microbial flora to cheese flavour
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Control and reduction of diacetyl formation in brewing
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Mechanisms of attachment of Listeria to surfaces
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Probiotic modulation of gut flora
Read BURN our Biosciences Undergraduate Research web site to find out more about research projects.
Industry Placement
There are opportunities to spend a year on an Industry Placement between years 2 and 3 in a company or research institute as a paid employee acquiring personal and professional skills. Our Placement Officer can assist you to find a suitable placement. Read students' experiences
Our close contact with industry also opens many doors for vacation work for our students.
International Study Options
Combining this course with the one year Certificate in European Studies offers the additional advantages of providing science graduates with language skills (including appropriate scientific terminology) and experience of European culture. Students undertake intensive language study and a special European placement module in their second year, prior to spending their third year abroad. Applicants must have a minimum grade B at GCSE or equivalent in the language of their host institution.
You can also take the opportunity to study abroad for one semester in your second year via the Universitas 21 worldwide exchange scheme, a global consortium of research intensive universities. Our current U21 partners include universities in: Austria, New Zealand, Canada, USA, Singapore, China & Sweden.
Further details
Financial information
For up-to-date financial advice and information please click here
Contact us
The School welcomes applications from prospective students of all ages and from all countries.
If you would like further information about any aspects of this course, or have a specific enquiry, please contact the admissions tutor directly:-
Dr Phil Hill
Tel: +44 (0)115 951 6169
Fax: +44 (0)115 951 6162
Email: phil.hill@nottingham.ac.uk
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